Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree increasing the authorized strength of the country’s Armed Forces. Effective August 1, the military’s total authorized personnel will rise to 2,426,130, including 1,535,000 service members.

Georgian MMA fighter Giorgi Kartvelishvili has announced the creation of a civic movement dedicated, he says, to defending Georgian traditions, culture, and national identity. The athlete spoke about the new initiative at a press conference held at the offices of the Georgian Federation of Journalists.

On the night of July 26, police in Tbilisi detained ten participants of a protest outside the city council building, known as the Sakrebulo. The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs announced the detentions.

Over the past several weeks, a series of high-profile incidents across Russia has reignited debate over xenophobia, religious intolerance and the authorities’ response to alleged hate-motivated incidents.